Parents' views of the National Autistic Society's EarlyBird Plus Programme

Autism. 2014 Aug;18(6):651-7. doi: 10.1177/1362361313495718. Epub 2013 Oct 8.

Abstract

Parent training interventions are recommended for parents soon after their child's autism spectrum condition diagnosis with the aim of improving parents' psychological well-being and coping, as well as the child's behaviour. This report explores parents' views of the EarlyBird Plus Programme through data collected routinely in the post-programme questionnaire. Participants' reported increased understanding of autism and improvements in their communication with their child and their ability to manage their child's behaviour. Parents appeared to value the opportunity to meet with other parents, and the programme seemed acceptable to the majority of parents who attended.

Keywords: EarlyBird Plus; autism; parent training programme; post-diagnostic support; psychoeducation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Psychological
  • Adult
  • Attitude to Health*
  • Autistic Disorder*
  • Child
  • Child Development Disorders, Pervasive
  • Child, Preschool
  • Consumer Behavior*
  • Early Intervention, Educational / methods
  • Education, Nonprofessional / methods*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Parent-Child Relations
  • Parenting*
  • Parents / education*
  • Societies, Medical
  • United Kingdom